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Jesus Campos, center, Giovani Perez Chica, left, and Jose Perez Chica lead the End of the Trail Half Marathon at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia on Saturday, February 7, 2015. They placed first, second, and third respectively.
Ron Holman,

Karina Carstens, right, and Andrea Anez placed first and second respectively overall in the female group of the End of the Trail Half Marathon race at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia on Saturday, February 7, 2015.
Ron Holman,

Right before Visalia runner Michael Baumann reaches the finish line at every race he competes in, he jumps in the air and clicks his heels.

And the annual End of the Trail Half Marathon on Saturday was no different.

The 58-year-old was one of the nearly 300 participants who braved the rain Saturday morning to participate in an event that gives back to high school students.

Race director Joshua Hickey said despite the rain, organization of the event went smoothly.

"We had a great race," he said. "We're ready to scale it to a bigger crowd based on today."

As of Friday, Hickey said 235 people were registered to compete in the timed event that also included a 13.1-mile walk and a 10K run. By Saturday morning, 275 racers took places on "start" line, Hickey said.

"We're definitely ready for an event to scale up to about 500 with the support of the community," he said.

This is Hickey's first time organizing the race but he had participated as a runner for many years.

The fastest overall male finisher, Jesus Campos of Fresno, completed the 13.1-mile run in 1:13:36.92.

The fastest female was Karina Carstens of Exeter who finished in 1:33:58.8.

Each received a replica of the End of the Trail statue as a trophy.

A percentage of money raised Saturday helps high school cross country athletic programs and is given in scholarship form.

Mt. Whitney High School's assistant cross country coach, Joshua Escobedo, said he can remember his days as a runner for the school. He said the event is a great way for him to show his support.

"The kids I've been able to coach for the last several years are here," he said, "and I'm able to get them excited about the sport of running."

Escobedo said the money is greatly appreciated because the students can't raise all the money themselves. And due to the drought, the team had to stop organizing car washes, a fundraiser they rely on heavily for additional money.

Students from all four high schools volunteered Saturday, where they managed the electrolyte and watering stations along the race route.

The End of the Trail Half Marathon is organized every year by the Visalia Runners, a local running group that gives back to high school running programs, helps with athletic scholarships and other community events.